"Dancing with the Stars" Pros Are Paired with Their Celebrities

ABC's juggernaut hit television series, "Dancing with the Stars" is preparing for its fall premiere. The stars have been named. The pros have been paired with their celebrities. Rehearsal has begun. All is right with the dancing world; or is it?

It is always interesting to see who the professionals draw as partners. Two-time winner Cheryl Burke seemed to get stuck with dud after dud after her two consecutive wins. The same seemed certain when Julianne Hough repeated the two-time feat.

Last year, Cheryl finally got close to that third mirror ball trophy and Julianne wasn't quite edged out either. But some of the men were less than happy with their partners. Who will triumph this year?

Here is how the couples are paired:

Bad boy, Alex Mazo is paired with Olympian Natalie Coughlin. He's won before with a beautiful woman in his arms (other than his fan favorite wife, Edyta Swilinska. He was responsible to taking soap vixen Kelly Monaco to the top in season one; dance off or no dance off. Plus, Olympians have won this competition over and over again. Why stop now?

Newcomer, Anna Demidova, is paired with NFL Legend Michael Irvin. Football players have done pretty well on DWTS, with one slight exception. Anna just might be able to keep up the tradition.

Anna Trebunskaya returns after a short absence to dance with Chuck Liddell. Previously paired with another NFL legend - - Jerry Rice - - she took him to the finals, just barely missing a major touchdown. She might just be able to turn the Ultimate Fighter into the ultimate dancer as well.

Former "So You Think You Can Dance" finalist, Chelsie Hightower will cut the rug with Louie Vito. She turned cowboy Ty Murray into a contender last year. Can she do it again with a pro snowboarder? I certainly wouldn't count her out.

Poor Cheryl is probably out of luck again this year. She is paired with the oldest competitor, former leader of the House of Representatives, Tom DeLay. But if anyone can turn this politician into a dancer, it would definitely be Cheryl.

Derek Hough, Julianne's brother, returns to try his hand at taking home the trophy again. This time he is paired with Joana Krupa. Can this actress/model dance? I can't answer that because truthfully I don't even know who she is. But if she has a lick of talent, I'm certain Derek will find it and hone it razor sharp.

Another SYTYCD alum, Dmitry Chaplin, throws his hat in the ring this year. He is paired with the ever-exotic singer and songwriter Mya. At the very least, this stunning pair should make sure every eye is on the television screen.

Alex's better half, Edyta, may have drawn a winner this time around with George Hamilton's son, Ashley. He's got his father's charm and grace but he's also his own man. This could be a fun pairing.

Gentle Jonathan Roberts will work his magic with soulful singer Macy Gray. I think this couple might surprise everyone. They will either sizzle or fizzle and I vote for the former rather than the latter.

Sexy bad girl, Karina Smirnoff, will undoubtedly throw loving looks as her pro fiancé, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, but on the dance floor her eyes will be only for partner Aaron Carter. This is an odd pairing to say the least, but it could just work. Back Street Boy meet front street girl.

Kym Johnson gets to live the fantasy of millions of baby boomer women. She'll be dancing in the arms of Donny Osmond. Let's face it women will vote for this couple just to keep looking at their childhood idol. However, I don't think he will disappoint them either.

The first SYTYCD cast member to invade DWTS, Lacey Schwimmer, may have found someone who can keep up with her energy this year. She is paired with martial arts champ Mark Decascos. Can the Chairman of "Iron Chef" making a killing on ABC too? This should be a couple worth watching.

Pro turned choreographer, Louis Van Amstel, returns to dance this year with Ozzy's little girl - - Kelly Osbourne. Can the singer and TV personality also dance? I have no idea but it will be fun to find out.

The other ballroom bad boy, and Karina's true love, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, hits the floor this year with stunning actress and TV personality, Debi Mazar.

Charming, Mike Ballas, hot off the trail of two wins with Olympians Kristi Yamaguchi and Shawn Johnson, will try to be the first dancer to win three times. He's paired with child star Melissa Joan Hart.

The gentleman of the dance floor, Tony Dovolani, will undoubtedly win the hearts of fans as well as his beautiful partner, model Kathy Ireland. Maybe he'll finally have a chance to take home the win he so richly deserves.

At this point I have no idea who I'll be pulling for. However, I think it is safe to see that this year's "Dancing with the Stars" should be a lot of fun.